monocoque

noun

mono·coque | \ ˈmä-nə-ˌkōk

How to pronounce monocoque (audio)

, -ˌkäk \

Definition of monocoque

1 : a type of construction (as of a fuselage) in which the outer skin carries all or a major part of the stresses

2 : a type of vehicle construction (as of an automobile) in which the body is integral with the chassis — compare space frame, unibody

Examples of monocoque in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Constructed using the same techniques used on Formula 1 race cars, the 161-inch monocoque is made from recycled carbon fiber for maximum structural strength. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, "This New Camper Is an Off-Road Beast With a Luxe Interior Like a Scandinavian Hotel," 1 Mar. 2021 While the monocoque had nowhere else to go, the rear half of the car, containing the engine, gearbox, and battery—and therefore most of the mass—was still going. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "How Romain Grosjean walked away from F1’s scariest crash in decades," 30 Nov. 2020 That earlier crash resulted in new safety regulations that require F1 cars to use Kevlar fuel cells contained within the monocoque. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "How Romain Grosjean walked away from F1’s scariest crash in decades," 30 Nov. 2020 As the nose of the car punched through, the monocoque traveled most of the way through and then stopped. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "How Romain Grosjean walked away from F1’s scariest crash in decades," 30 Nov. 2020 This Defender, like its Range Rover cousins, is now an aluminum monocoque chassis, something that Land Rover says is three times stiffer than anything else the brand has built until now. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "The 2020 Land Rover Defender is a 21st century take on a 4×4 icon," 12 Sep. 2019 Carbon fiber, aluminum and monocoque construction keep the car’s weight to about 4,000 pounds. — Jeff Yip, Houston Chronicle, "Red-carpet rockets: Is 500 hp now theadmission price to supercar club?," 30 Aug. 2019 Now, the engine was bolted directly to the car's monocoque and served as the mounting point for the rear suspension, a practice still used by every F1 car and almost every sports prototype. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "F1 2018: More than a great game, it’s an interactive history lesson," 17 Aug. 2018 Taking the monocoque of Mercedes-Benz E 63 S station wagon as a starting point, the GT 63 version applies a variety of stiffening elements and added structure to the front clip and transmission tunnel. — Dan Neil, WSJ, "Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S: More Car Than Anyone Could Ever Enjoy," 5 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'monocoque.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about monocoque

Dictionary Entries near monocoque

monoclonal antibody

monoclonal gammopathy

Monocotyledoneae

Statistics for monocoque

Last Updated

10 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Monocoque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monocoque. Accessed 12 Apr. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Comments on monocoque

What made you want to look up monocoque? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

gallant

Listen to the pronunciation of gallant

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Anagram puzzles meet word search.

TAKE THE QUIZ